cover image The Maze Murderer

The Maze Murderer

Charles Pero, . . SterlingHouse, $24.95 (212pp) ISBN 978-1-56-315391-4

F BI legend Frank Logan, head of the Bureau's elite Special Circumstances Killer squad, breaks off his ongoing book tour to investigate a pair of bizarre slayings—one in Florida, the other in Georgia—in Pero's vivid and energetic, if a bit slow-building, debut. The killer has left mazes drawn in the blood of the victims, hinting at the possible location of the next murder. Assigned to work with Logan is Vinny Smalldeano, the newest member of the squad. As the two examine the killer's patterns and try to prevent another death, Smalldeano develops an understanding of Logan's strengths—and flaws. Pero's depiction of a bestselling author's life is somewhat romanticized, but the crime-fighting scenes have great verisimilitude. This procedural about lawmen in hot pursuit of a crazed killer takes the reader on a wild and satisfying ride. (July)